Viticulturist

MDCV UK

MDCV UK has a vision to bring the finest English and Provençal wines to the UK market.

We have a long history of producing award-winning Provence Rosé and English Sparkling Wines, with an extensive infrastructure, both in France and the UK.

By 2030, we will be the largest producer of wine in each of these regions, with a combined production of over 10 million bottles annually.

Our French estates span over 1,000 acres and are already established in many global markets, with sales of over 4 million bottles.

In England, our flagship site, Silverhand Estate, not only lies within a National Landscape but also forms part of the North Kent Woods and Downs National Nature Reserve, a hidden gem of natural beauty and rich heritage.

It is defining the new rules of English sparkling wine, as the largest single organic vineyard in the UK, covering more than 900 acres, and it has been audited as the UKs first carbon negative vineyard, with no offsetting.

By 2030 we aim to be producing 5 million bottles of English wine.

As a business, we strive for innovation and use many cutting-edge techniques in our vineyards and winemaking.

The ambition and scale of what we do allows us some of the most efficient operations in the world, while still producing high quality wine of award-winning standard.

We have a passion for sustainability and manage all our vineyards organically, while also employing pioneering techniques to minimise our impact on the environment, such as composting organic waste and harvesting rainwater.

While learning from our history and building for our future, we plan to revolutionise the English wine industry for the better.

Company values and core behaviours

The post holder will be expected to operate in line with our company core behaviours & values, which are to be:

• Motivated: Positive, enthusiastic, and always engaged in whatever we do.
• Dedicated: Committed to being the best and producing the best.
• Commercial: Aware of our business, our impact, and our value.
• Visionary: Constantly looking at how we can adapt, improve, and innovate our Industry.

Creating a winning experience for our colleagues and customers through our work environment, training, and people management.

• United: Always working together as part of a team, valuing our people and their contribution to our success.
• Knowledgeable: Experts in our field, always striving to understand our industry better.

Key responsibilities

The Viticulturist will work with a Vineyard Management team and will be responsible for the delivery of vineyard activities, processes and reporting functions in young vineyards.

The role is varied and dynamic and there are opportunities for the right candidate to further develop their skills, knowledge and viticulture career with us.

We are seeking an energetic and passionate candidate who demonstrates good practical viticulture experience and has strong planning, communication, and interpersonal skills.

This role demands a high degree of flexibility, motivation, professionalism, and dedication.

It is designed for a person who truly wants to add value and understands the importance of credibility and reliability.

• You will be responsible for…
• Working with our Vineyard team to oversee multiple young vineyards.
• Crop walks looking for diseases, pests, nutrient deficiencies, phenology, and general vineyard health and performance.
• Training, supervising and working with operatives during manual work, e. g. shoot selection, pruning and harvesting.
• Record keeping and reporting details of vineyard activities and management requirements to the Vineyard team.
• Working closely with the Vineyard Team to design timely, budget conscious and
• environmentally sustainable vineyard work programs.
• Continually improving the vineyard sustainability, both environmentally and financially through strong management techniques.
• As well as the core requirements, set out above, as a team player you will be expected to undertake other ad-hoc work and engage fully with other business activities.

Essential

• A viticulture and Oenology qualification from a recognised Viticulture Institution.
• Experience creating and managing Vineyard Spray programs.
• Comfortable speaking with clients and staff.
• Fluent in spoken and written English.
• A strong work ethic and willingness to travel.
• Full clean driver's license and own transport.
• Good IT and mobile application skills.
• Working a 5 over 7 shift pattern.
• Flexibility on start and finish times upon request
• Work well in a team and be a team player.
• A flexible, can-do attitude and ability to embrace change.

Desirable

• 3-years minimum cool-climate vineyard employment.
• Personable, passionate, confident and a desire to learn and advance your career.
• PA1 and PA3 certificate also an advantage.
• Ideally be relatively local to the Luddesdown, Meopham, Gravesend, Rochester area.

Please note that the duties and responsibilities outlined as above are not exhaustive and may be subject to change as required to meet the needs of the business